A survey on the state of holiday travel and wintering sales, recently conducted by UHPA among its members, showed that this year the offer and sale of holiday trips is better than last year. Most agencies expect more passengers both in Croatia and abroad. Croatian citizens more often opt for New Year’s arrangements, while they will traditionally prefer to spend Christmas with their families.Advent trips are in full swing and Croatians, when it comes to abroad, prefer to opt for one-day or two-day or three-day bus trips to the surrounding countries, and the most popular destinations are Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Salzburg. Of the Italian destinations, Milan, Tuscany, Verona and Venice are popular. Those with a little deeper pocket will take several days by plane to Lisbon, London, Rome or distant Rovaniemi (Finland). The absolute favorite of Advent trips on the domestic market is Zagreb, where most of the hotel capacities are sold out weeks in advance, so it will be difficult for those who decide at the last minute to find accommodation in the Croatian capital. Immediately behind Zagreb is very popular Čazma with a Christmas fairy tale on the property of the Salaj family. Increased interest in travel during Advent is also recorded in Opatija, Split and Varaždin.The increase in sales of Advent trips on the domestic market is on average about 5%, while abroad it is mostly about 10%For now, the agencies are also satisfied with the sale of New Year’s arrangements. The increase in sales abroad at most agencies is around 15%, while in Croatia the majority records sales at the level of last year’s results or a slight increase of up to 5%. But as sales are still ongoing the final results will be known more in January. In Croatia, arrangements are traditionally most sought after in Opatija, Split and Dubrovnik. Compared to last year, interest in Rovinj, Crikvenica and Pula has increased. Those who want to discover the beauties of continental Croatia, opt for Baranja or the increasingly popular spa. There is a lot of interest in European destinations, and according to the information of the agencies, most of them traditionally plan to celebrate the New Year in Vienna, London, Paris, Prague and Budapest. Of the European destinations, Malta, Sicily, Portugal, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo) are also on offer. This year, too, long-distance trips with guaranteed departures to the very popular Dubai and New York or India, Israel, Jordan, Hong Kong, China and Thailand are on offer.The winter-ski season for travel agencies has long been in full swingCompared to last season, most UHPA members expect good results, with an average growth of 10%. They are still the most popular ski resorts in Austria, Italy and Slovenia. Croatian citizens will mostly go skiing during the winter school holidays, which last from December 27 to January 14, 2018. In the so-called “Croatian Ski Week” from 6 to 13 January 2018, when prices are much cheaper, we will most often see them in Nassfeld, Kronplatz, Livigno, Silliano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Krvavec and Rogla. Due to the proximity and favorable prices, ski resorts in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina (Kupres and Jahorina) are also very popular, and sales for slightly more remote ski resorts in France are currently at last year’s level.These are mostly individual trips (56%), while organized group trips account for 44%. The agencies point out that the prices of the arrangements have mostly remained at the level of last year and that citizens have the opportunity to receive a number of benefits through special discounts (first minute / last minute offers). Most arrangements (78%) are paid by citizens in installments, mainly by card (56%), while a smaller number opt for a one-time payment either in cash or by card.

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